ABSTRACT – Iron Age sanctuaries and ritual itineraries in the Chiese
Valley – During a research project in mountain regions in the municipal areas
of Gavardo, Villanuova sul Clisi, Vallio, Agnosine and Sabbio Chiese (BS)
coordinated by the then Lombardy Archaeological Heritage Superintendency, a
series of sites with distinctive features were found. They are located on areas
of high ground and have yielded finds dating from the First Iron Age to the Roman
period. The nature of these – mostly metal – objects and the sites’ topographical
and structural characteristics suggests that this was a group of ritual
areas, situated among the hills on pathways that are still used. The distribution
pattern appears to show a hierarchy of sites, with structured principal locations
and satellite areas. After the discovery of these sites (2004 – 2011) several were
investigated by means of archaeological excavation. The largest and most complex,
Dos della Rocchetta - Rasine (Sabbio Chiese), was a limestone hill with
suggestive karst erosion features: cavities, fissures, arches, small rock shelters,
sinkholes and large detached bodies of rock. On the upper plateau a rectangular
area has been cut into the rock surface. Here and on the higher crags many
metal objects were found (mostly in bronze, complete or broken), together with
a much smaller quantity of scorched potsherds, and widespread small burnt bone
fragments. The metal artefacts included various kinds of bronze fibula, torc and
pendant, silver coins and items in iron. During the final phase of use iron shoetacks
are particularly numerous. Around the main site several smaller sites have
been identified, at one of which was found an exceptional bronze artefact with
an inscription in the ancient alphabet of the Camunni. Smaller sites have been
found north of the village of Oriolo (Vallio Terme) and in the Monte Magno area
(Gavardo). Study of these contexts – taking into account the constructions present,
the natural features chosen, the differing preservation states of the finds and
their spatial distribution – has yielded interesting conclusions regarding the rituals
conducted in these sanctuaries, which were similar in some respects to those
of the brandopferplätze of Alpine tradition